Expansible mandrel



March 31, 1964 c. R. TIDLAND ETAL 3,127,124

EXPANSIBLE MANDREL Filed Aug. 15, 1961 2 Gordon M Ochs INVENTORS A x BY H'H'ys,

United States Patent 3,127,124 EXPANSIBLE MANDREL Charles R. Tidland, 2363 SE. 8th, Camas, Wash, and Gordon M. ()chs, Camas, Wash; said @chs assignor to Arthur T. Williams, Washougal, Wash.

Filed Aug. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 131,567 8 Claims. ((111. 242-72) This invention relates to expansible mandrels, and more particularly to mandrels that may be employed, for instance, in mounting a roll of paper or other sheet material during the winding or unwinding of the material therefrom.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved construction for a mandrel, with a novel means for gripping the inside of a roll of material, such as paper, whereby the roll is held securely and without slippage thereon.

Another general object is to provide an improved expansible mandrel with means about the periphery thereof for gripping onto the inside of a roll, that features as a means for expanding the mandrel a hose member within the mandrel inflatable by admitting fluid under pressure thereinto, and rigid structure within the hose member limiting the extent to which the same can be collapsed on fluid under pressure being expelled therefrom.

In a form of mandrel contemplated by the invention, a series of protrusions, more specifically buttons, are provided about the periphery of the mandrel, and expansion of the mandrel is produced by radially outward movement of these buttons through apertures in the body of the mandrel. An inflatable hose member produces such radially outward movement, such hose member being carried within the mandrel proper.

A further feature and object of the invention is to provide, in such a mandrel, rigid tubular structure within the flexible hose member limiting the extent that the hose member may collapse, with the eflect of such structure being to maintain the projections or buttons in registry with the apertures through which the buttons project when the mandrel is expanded. The tubular structure is mounted in fixed position adjacent the ends of the mandrel body, and the tubular structure constitutes means anchored within the mandrel forming a backing that limits contraction of the hose member.

Another object is to provide a novel form of mandrel comprising an elongated cylindrical body, where gripping means in the mandrel comprises projections or buttons protruding exteriorly of the mandrel body, such being joined to and integral with a flexible hose member mounted within the mandrel.

A somewhat related object is to provide such a buttontype mandrel, where tubular structure is provided within the interior of a hose member for limiting the extent of collapse of the hose member, and where the hose member is connected to the tubular structure by means accommodating its disconnection from the structure, enabling the withdrawal of the tubular structure, and the hose member to be collapsed by twisting it whereby the buttons integral therewith may be pulled out of registry from the apertures in the mandrel body to free the hose member for removal.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a mandrel that is strong, and can be used for supporting a relatively heavy load, and yet in relation to its strength has relatively small mass.

Another object is to provide a mandrel comprising a cylindrical body and a hose member within it, with such hose member having a backing therein limiting the extent of its collapse, where a particular construction is selected that simplifies sealing of the hose member within 3,lZ7,iZ4 Patented Mar. 31, 1964 the mandrel whereby it can be made airtight and capable of inflation.

These, as well as other objects and advantages, are attained by the invention, and the same is described hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a mandrel according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with portions removed to shorten it, and partially in section whereby details of interior construction are made more readily apparent;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the end of a mandrel according to another embodiment of the invention, with portions removed; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken generaily along the line 44 in FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, and first of all to FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating one embodiment of the invention, the mandrel is indicated generally at iii. Mandrel iii in cludes an elongated body comprising a hollow, cylindrical, perforate shell 12, and at the ends thereof journal portions 14, 16. The journal portions have ends, indicated at 18 and 2t), respectively, used for mounting the mandrel in place. Each journal portion also has an annular skirt, indicated in the drawings at 22, 24, that with the mandrel assembled fits snugly within the inside of an end of shell 12. Journal portions 14, 16 are secured in place, as by set screws 26.

Expansion of the mandrel is produced by inflating an elongated, flexible hose member 30. The latter is made of rubber, or other synthetic material with rubbery characteristics. The hose member extends longitudinally within the interior of shell 12, with ends adjacent journal portions 14, 16.

Extending longitudinally of the hose member, and within it, is an elongated and rigid tubular structure, designated generally at 36. Structure 36 comprises an elongated tube 38, and mounted at the ends of tube 38, and closing it off, a pair of plugs, indicated at 40, 42, respectively.

As can be seen with reference to FIG. I, plug 42 has an annular shoulder 44 provided at the inner end of the plug, such meeting with a cylindrical surface 46. Surface 46 and shoulder 44 define a seating means for the end of tube 38 at the right of the mandrel. A similar seating means is provided at the inner end of plug dd.

Tubular structure 36, comprising tube 38 and end plugs 49, 42, is somewhat longer than hose member 3h, so that the ends thereof protrude beyond the ends of the hose member. The ends of the hose member are secured to the outer surfaces of plugs 49, 42 in such a manner that a fluid-tight seal is provided at these ends. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, the left end of the hose member is secured to plug 4th by a band or clamp 56, and the right end of the hose member to plug 42 by a band or clamp 52.

The ends of the tubular structure are mounted in fixed position Within the body of the mandrel. Thus, a counterbore 56 is provided in journal portion 34, and this re ceives the outer end of plug so, with the end snugly fitted in the counterbore and held concentrically within the mandrel. Considering plug 42, set screws 58 are provided extending through the body of the mandrel, with inner ends abutting band or clamp 52. These set screws are adjusted so that plug 42 is held concentric with the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, and tightened suificiently to inhibit axial shifting of the tubular structure within the mandrel body.

Left plug 48 is solid, and thus air is prevented from escaping from the interior of the tubular structure at the left end thereof. Plug 4-2, however, is provided with means for admitting fluid under pressure to the interior of tube 38. Thus, a pipe or line 69 is provided, having a threaded inner end portion 60a, with such portion screwed into an internally threaded end 62a of a bore 62 extending centrally in plug 42. Line 60 extends out through a bore 64 in journal portion 16, and mounted at its outer end is a conventional valve assembly 66.

Tube 38 contains one or more apertures therein, such being indicated at 70 (see FIG. 1). The apertures accommodate the escape of air from inside the tube to the inside of the hose member that surrounds it. As a consequence, when air (or other fluid under pressure) is introduced through line 60, the air escapes from tube 38 to the outside of the tube and to the interior of the hose member, causing inflation of the hose member and its radial expansion.

As already indicated, shell 12 of the mandrel is perforate, and making it perforate are a series of holes 72 therein. Protruding through these holes are a series of buttons or projections 74, with outer surfaces 74a that constitute gripping surfaces in the mandrel. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the projections are made of rubbery material and are integral with hose member 30. Upon expansion of the hose member, the buttons move radially outwardly to grip firmly the inside of a roll, and when air or fluid under pressure is expelled from the inside of the hose member the hose member may collapse.

The tubular structure within the hose member performs the very important function of preventing collapse of the hose member to such an extent as to enable the buttons to move out of registry with holes 72 in the shell. The structure therefore limits radially inward movement of the buttons. The tubular structure also has the function of contributing to the inner strength of the mandrel.

The construction selected for the hose member and tubular structure has a number of advantages. For one thing, the hose member may be made airtight within the mandrel, merely through the expedient of clamping its ends to the plugs. Tube 38 may be held loosely and without an airtight seal between it and the plugs inside the hose member. The construction also permits the hose member to be removed from inside the mandrel, if such is necessary. Thus, to remove the hose member, the journal portions are removed and so also are the bands or clamps 50, 52. This enables the plugs and tube 38 to be removed, and on twisting of the hose member 30 its circumference is reduced sufficiently to enable it to be withdrawn from the mandrel.

Several methods of manufacture may be employed in mounting the hose member in place. For instance, the hose member without buttons thereon may be placed about tube 38 on plugs 4-0, 42, and bands 50, 52 then clamped about its ends. If the member is then placed inside shell 12, buttons 74 may then be joined to the outside of the hose structure, as by cementing them in place. As another method of manufacture, the hose member with buttons already on the exterior thereof may be inserted within shell 12, and subsequently the tubular structure added, with clamping of the ends of the hose member to the tubular structure performed after first positioning the hose member so that buttons 74 protrude through holes '72.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, where another embodiment of the invention is illustrated, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a tubular structure 36 is mounted in fixed position within the mandrel, such including a tube 38 and plugs, such as plug 42, Mounted about the tubular structure, and with its ends clamped to the ends of the structure, is a hose member 30. The extent that the hose member may collapse is limited by the tubular structure within it.

In this embodiment, instead of having buttons as an integral part of the hose member, elongated segments 82 are provided that extend over the outside of the hose member along the length of the mandrel. Joined to segmerits 82 are buttons or projections 84. As in the case of the first embodiment, on inflation of the hose member, buttons 84 move radially outwardly. In this instance, however, movement of the buttons is produced by the hose member expanding against the inner surfaces of segments 82. Upon deflation of the hose member, the buttons are enabled to move radially inwardly.

The type of mandrel contemplated by the invention may be constructed to provide a firm grip with the inner surface of a roll, such as a roll of paper. The construction is relatively uncomplicated, in comparison with other structures that perform similar work functions. Replacement of the hose member and the buttons may be made if necessary, and such may be done without replacing the means providing the internal backing for the hose member, which is tubular structure 36.

We claim:

1. An expansible mandrel comprising a hollow cylindrical perforate shell, journal portions at the ends of said shell providing a means for mounting the mandrel, said journal portions defining the ends and said shell defining the sides of an elongated chamber within said mandrel, an elongated flexible hose member inside said chamber extending longitudinally within the interior of said shell, means disposed on the outside of said hose member having projections extending into the perforations of said shell, elongated and rigid tubular structure inside said chamber extending longitudinally of and within said hose member with the ends of the structure protruding beyond the ends of the hose member and disposed adjacent said journal portions, said tubular structure being operable to limit collapse of said hose member so as to prevent said projections from moving out of said perforations, means securing in fluid-tight relationship the ends of said hose member about the protruding ends of said tubular structure, means mounting said protruding ends of said tubular structure in fixed position in said journal portions, means in said tubular structure accommodating the flow of fluid from the interior of said tubular structure to the interior of said hose member, plugs within said chamber joined to the ends of said tubular structure making an air container of the tubular structure and the hose member secured thereto, and means for introducing fluid under pressure to the interior of said tubular structure.

2. An expansible mandrel comprising a hollow cylindrical perforate shell, and journal portions at the ends of said shell for mounting the mandrel, said journal portions defining the ends and said shell defining the sides of an elongated chamber within said mandrel, an elongated flexible hose member inside said chamber extending longitudinally of and within said shell for producing expansion of the mandrel, elongated and rigid tubular structure inside said chamber extending longitudinally of and within said hose member for limiting the extent of collapse of said hose member, said tubular structure comprising an elongated tube and concentric plugs at each end of said tube, said plugs having annular seating means, the ends of said tube being seated on said seating means, means securing the ends of said hose member to the ends of said tubular structure, means mounting the ends of said tubular structure in fixed position in said journal portions, means in said tubular structure accommodating the flow of fluid from the interior of said structure to the interior of said hose member, and means for introducing fluid under pressure to the interior of said tubular structure.

3. The expansible mandrel of claim 2, wherein said plugs protrude beyond the ends of said tube, wherein the ends of said hose member are secured to the ends of said tubular structure by clamping the ends to said protruding plugs, and where-in the ends of said tubular structure are mounted in fixed position within said shell by means operatively engaging said plugs.

4. The mandrel of claim 3, wherein said means for introducing fluid under pressure to the interior of said tubular structure comprises an axially extending passage in one of said journal portions, a pipe extending through said passage and secured at one end to one of said plugs, said pipe having a hollow interior in communication at said one end with the interior of said tubular structure, and valve means mounted on said pipe.

5. An expansible mandrel comprising a hollow cylindrical perforate shell, journal portions at the ends of said shell providing a means for mounting the mandrel, said journal portion defining the ends and said shell defining the sides of an elongated chamber Within said mandrel, an elongated flexible hose member inside said chamber extending longitudinally within the interior of said shell, said hose member having as an integral part thereof protrusions of rubbery material extending into the perforations in said shell, elongated and rigid tubular structure inside chamber extending longitudinally of and within said hose anember limiting the radial inward contraction of the member so as to prevent said protrusions from moving out of said perforations, means securing the ends of said hose member to said tubular structure, means mounting the ends of said tubular structure in fixed position in said journal portions, and means for introducing fluid under pressure to the space bounded by the interior of said hose member and the exterior of said tubular structure.

6. An expansible mandrel comprising a hollow cylindrical penforate shell, journal portions at the ends of said shell providing a means for mounting the mandrel, said journal portions defining the ends and said shell defining the sides of an elongated chamber Within said mandrel, an elongated flexible hose member inside said chamber extending longitudinally within the interior of said shell, said hose member having as an integral part thereof protrusions of robbery material extending into the perforations in said shell, elongated and rigid tubular structure inside said chamber extending longitudinally of and within said hose member limiting the radial inward of the hose member so as to prevent said protrusions from moving out of said perforations, said tubular structure having protruding ends extending beyond the ends of said hose member, means making an air-holding container of said tubular structure, means securing the ends of said hose member to the protruding ends of said tubular structure, means mounting the ends of said tubular structure in fixed position in said journal portions, means in said tubular structure accommodating the flow of fluid from the intenior of said structure into the interior of said hose member, and means for introducing fluid under pressure to the interior of said tubular structure.

7. An exp-ansible mandrel comprising a hollow cylindrical perforate shell, journal portions at the ends of said shell providing a means for mounting the mandrel, at least one of said journal portions being removable from said shell, said journal portion-s defining the ends arid said shell defining the sides of an elongated chamber within said mandrel, an elongated flexible hose member of rubbery material inside said chamber extending longitudinally of and within the interior of said shell and having as an integral part thereof protrusions of rubbery material extending into the perforations in said shell, an elongated rigid structure inside said chamber extending longitudinally of and within said hose member for limiting the radial inward contraction of the hose member so as to prevent said protrusions from moving out of said perforations, means making an air-holding container of said hose member about said rigid structure whereby the hose may be inflated and deflated, the latter means comprising, adjacent at least one end of the hose member, a clamp means securing the hose member about the periphery of said rigid structure with the rigid structure being removable from the interior of said member on the removal of said clamp means, and means mounting the ends of said tubular structure in fixed position in said journal portions.

8. An expansible mandrel comprising a hollow cylindrical perforate she-ll forming the body of the mandrel between its ends, an elongated and inflatable hose member extending longitudinally Within the interior of said shell, rigid structure inside said hose member limitng the collapse thereof, said hose member including a body portion and protrusions or" rubber material integral with the body portion that project out from the body portion with the hose member in its relaxed state, said protrusions with the hose member within said shell extending into the perforations of said shell, said structure inside said hose member limiting radial inward contraction of the hose member so as to prevent said protrusions from moving out of said perforations, the joinder of said protrusions with body portion of said hose member enabling said protrusions to be positively Withdrawn radially inwardly by said body portion on collapse of said hose member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,045,201 Shoop Nov. 26, 1912 2,215,069 Meisel Sept. 17, 1940 2,537,492 Tidl-and Jan. 9, 1951 2,697,563 Miller Dec. 21, 1954 2,849,192 Fairchild Aug. 26, 1958 3,053,467 Gidge Sept. 11, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 163,738 Australia June 29, 1955 543,649 Germany Feb. 8, 1932 8,543 Great Britain 1896 

2. AN EXPANSIBLE MANDREL COMPRISING A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL PERFORATE SHELL, AND JOURNAL PORTIONS AT THE ENDS OF SAID SHELL FOR MOUNTING THE MANDREL, SAID JOURNAL PORTIONS DEFINING THE ENDS AND SAID SHELL DEFINING THE SIDES OF AN ELONGATED CHAMBER WITHIN SAID MANDREL, AN ELONGATED FLEXIBLE HOSE MEMBER INSIDE SAID CHAMBER EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF AND WITHIN SAID SHELL FOR PRODUCING EXPANSION OF THE MANDREL, ELONGATED AND RIGID TUBULAR STRUCTURE INSIDE SAID CHAMBER EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF AND WITHIN SAID HOSE MEMBER FOR LIMITING THE EXTENT OF COLLAPSE OF SAID HOSE MEMBER, SAID TUBULAR STRUCTURE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED TUBE AND CONCENTRIC PLUGS AT EACH END OF SAID TUBE, SAID PLUGS HAVING ANNULAR SEATING MEANS, THE ENDS OF SAID TUBE BEING SEATED ON SAID SEATING MEANS, MEANS SECURING THE ENDS OF SAID HOSE MEMBER TO THE ENDS OF SAID TUBULAR STRUCTURE, MEANS MOUNTING THE ENDS OF SAID TUBULAR STRUCTURE IN FIXED POSITION IN SAID JOURNAL PORTIONS, MEANS IN SAID TUBULAR STRUCTURE ACCOMMODATING THE FLOW OF FLUID FROM THE INTERIOR OF SAID STRUCTURE TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID HOSE MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR INTRODUCING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID TUBULAR STRUCTURE. 